Hey everyone, I'm looking at taking a trip next summer, and I'm trying to work out the logistics and see just how feasible this all is. I've never really gone on any over night climbing trips besides a 2 nighter at Pilot Mountain in NC, and I now have been given an opportunity to go from NC to NH in either June or July, climbing all along the way. We're looking at taking about 2-3 weeks, and climbing, starting at Linville, then hitting up the New, Seneca, DWG, The Gunks, and finishing out with some NH big wall stuff. Due to the amount of driving we'll be doing and our own personal skill levels, we really arent looking at doing anything more than a 5.8, but instead just getting out and seeing the country, so casual, easy-moderate multi-pitch trad stuff is preferred. All 3 guys going are capable of leading and we can do pretty much the majority of 5.8's and are willing to do a 5.9 pitch if necessary.

The question that has come up with thinking of where all to go, is not the location, but the routes. We're looking at going next summer, so we've definitely got some time to figure things out, but, since we're already talking about it, I'm getting excited, and thought I'd see what the RC.comers have to say about the routes between here and there. I'm willing to put up for the guidebooks to all the places, as I'm sure I will be revisiting each of them. We're mainly looking at multi-pitch trad, and could care less about sport. So, to the regulars of the New, Seneca, DWG, the Gunks, and NH.... what are some of your favorite easy-moderates?

I have looked at each place thoroughly, and I'm having the most trouble with Seneca and NH specifically. There's plenty of info on the Gunks, and we arent having too much trouble picking routes at DWG (at least not that I know of, but then again, that is the point of this post) I understand that right now, I dont really need to be concerned with routes, but it definitely helps fuel the excitement, when I can look at a route, and say to myself, "I'll be on that next summer" ya know?

Also, what are the good guidebooks to invest in for each area, and what's the camping like? Addresses would be the most helpful, so we can plan out driving times and distances, but phone numbers work too.

Thats a tall order. I don't have time for a detailed reply but wil just throw out a few more random thoughts.

You ought to add the Adirondaks to your list of potential venues.

In NH you should focus on N Conway - Cathedral and Whitehorse in particular. Certainly there are tons more of slightly obscure crags around but on a high lights trip like this you should start there. if you want more alpine like adventure head for Cannon or Huntington Ravine (Mt. Washington).

Your biggest risk - as always in the east - is the weather. It could be perfect. It could equally likely be hot humid and damp. Be flexible and have some alternatives. Check forecasts before you drive a day to get someplace. For sure its likely to be buggy in NH. In general you can get cooler, drier more bug free conditions if you go up higher on the bigger cliffs.

Seneca is one of my favorits. Such a cool mini mountain. The easiest and best protected of the 5.7s to the summit is Green Wall. Other favorite moderats are Pleasant Overhang, West Pole with the direct finish. Extacy and Gunsite to South Peak.. Etc . Etc. Etc,,

This is just to get you started. There is literally too many routes to list. In the time that you were here, you won't even scratch the surface. Also, June and July in the Northeast is buggy and humid. You also may get a lot of rain. This past June we had over 20 days of rain. That is unusual, but it can happen. Just be prepared to be flexible and ask around for routes or areas that dry fast or even stay dry when it IS raining.

so when you come down, you have to do muscle shoals, 5.8+ right... i'll lend you a few cams so you can take three #5's and two #6's... haha. 8+ at it's finest. have you done bambi meets godzilla in jtree?

I think you should try to stay in fewer areas for longer. At you current clip you will barely scratch the surface each area. My two cents.

Especially with a party of three. Since NRG and Seneca aren't too far from you in the first place, I'd skip them and head to the Gunks for a few days. Then NH, and back to the Gunks, and then home, or NRG/Seneca on the way home.

For a three week trip. a week in the gunks, a week in NH, one day @ rumny to see what that scene is all about and a few days in the ADKs on the way home should be pretty cool. You can hit Seneca, the New etc any time as you allready live down there. GTF out of dodge and try something different.

I think you guys have a great idea, but i definitely think that it would be a real shame if you didn't stop in either MA or CT for some good old single pitch trad cragging on your way through.. depending which way you go.

If you go through MA, stop at Farley and/or Crow Hill.

If you go through CT, stop at East Peak and/or Ragged Mountain.

There's tons of 5.8 and easier single pitch trad at these locations, and most of the easier climbs have stars... especially at ragged.

These are all good suggestions for routes. I lived and climbed in New England for three years before moving down here to NC, and I've done every climb mentioned so far for Seneca, Cathedral, Whitehorse, and Cannon.

Here is my suggestion: pick where you want to go, and then train for those types of routes here in NC. For example, lots of routes at Table Rock feel just like the Thin Air face on Cathedral: lots of edges and slabby moves with a bit of air between placements. Same rack, same moves for the most part.

To train for Cannon, I would run out to cashiers and do the OR on Whitesides. The OR has better rock, but the feeling of big air and exposure is similiar.

I've never climbed the gunks, but the pictures look an awful lot like Shortoff Mountain.

I've never been on anything that felt like/reminded me of Seneca. You're on your own there.

So that's it, train before your trip so that you will feel strong and in your element when you hit the new stuff. The grades in NC seem very close to NH. There aren't any climbs on that list that you should worry about if you're comfortable leading 5.8 down here.

Also, this gives you an excuse/mission to explore linville gorge. Let me know if I can help with any more suggestions or beta.

In genera I would recommend going to one or two places, instead of rushing around to several. Doing so seems to make for a more relaxing trip. If you have the gas money I would recommend going west. June/July the west is going to be warm, but the east will hot and humid. I would defineitly try to focus on an ares you can't blast off to the weekend for.

If you do hit up Seneca are the climb's that were particularly memorable for me:

NRG is really a nice area and worth a visit but but beware that there really isn't much trad climbing that is worth while at the grades you are looking for. Unfortunately, the good trad lines at the New start at 5.10.

Now if you do the search I'm sure you'll see a list of easy routes from one of the old post but those climbs, in my personal opinon, are nothing to write home about.

In genera I would recommend going to one or two places, instead of rushing around to several. Doing so seems to make for a more relaxing trip. If you have the gas money I would recommend going west. June/July the west is going to be warm, but the east will hot and humid. I would defineitly try to focus on an ares you can't blast off to the weekend for.

If you do hit up Seneca are the climb's that were particularly memorable for me:

Peter Lewis & Dave Horowitz, "Classic Climbs in the Northeast" by Mountaineers Press. I've done 3/4 of the routes in here, very one of them was worth basing a day on. This book covers highlights of the best crags: Gunks, Cannon, N. Conway, Cathedral, Whitehorse, Adirondacks. It is best for directions to finding routes and clear topos.

Stewart Green, "Rock Climbing New England" by Falcon Press. This will often be too much information, but it covers the region quite well. Be aware that it does not cover anything in New York, which by region, history, rock, and climbing culture is very much part of "the northeast."

Rumney's a pile, avoid it - especially if you've been to a good sport crag like the Red, New, or Rumblin Bald.

I've climbed extensively throughout New England with Green's book and have nothing to complain about, are you just upset that he included some of Vermont's "secret" crags as well as that gem called Owl's Head in New Hampshire?

Sure, one can buy a number of locally specific books that are better, but the cost will rise. After getting Butterfield's Acadia, Handren's Cathedral & Whitehorse, Webster's New Hampshire, that bad Falcon book on Connecticut, and maybe Smith's Rumney guide you've spent way more than the $35 charged for Rock Climbing New England.

Naw, stewert pissed me off because he got the beta so wrong on my local crag. I coulkd tell from the description that he had never been there and most likly just talked to the guy from a nearby outdoors store who had not climbed in 20years and even then was just a top roper.